New Jersey's Wine Industry

New Jersey's $30 million per year wine industry is one of the most robust in the country, producing approximately two million gallons of wine per year. As the seventh largest wine producing state, New Jersey is home to over 35 wineries, which produce over 40 varieties of grapes. This diversity is possible as a result of New Jersey's temperate climate (specifically in the area of South Jersey known as the "Outer Coastal Plain"), which enables its wineries to produce some of the world's most popular grapes, such as Barbera, Chambourcin, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, Riesling and Sangiovese. With so many different types of wines being produced in New Jersey, there is no reason to drink non-New Jersey wine!

As a result of New Jersey's temperate climate and world-class wineries, the New Jersey wine industry has grown significantly in the last decade and is expected to continue growing in the future. Not only do New Jersey wineries continue to win national awards on a yearly basis, but the New Jersey Legislature has recently passed legislation permitting the direct shipment of wine to residents by any winery that produces 250,000 gallons of wine per year or less and permits wineries to open up to 18 satellite retail outlet tasting rooms around the state. This is seen as a significant step in the growth of New Jersey's wine industry because it will likely increase tourism to wineries (as New Jersey wineries can now establish tasting rooms throughout the state) and increase revenue (as New Jersey wineries will be able to ship directly to consumers throughout the state).

Obtain Your New Jersey Wine Country Passport

The Garden State Wine Growers Association offers an incentive to individuals seeking to visit wineries throughout New Jersey by offering complimentary gifts to those who obtain a passport and have it stamped at each participating winery in New Jersey. To obtain a passport, simply go to a participating winery, pick-up the passport and then register the passport at the Garden State Wine Growers Association passport Web site. Once registered, have the passport stamped at each participating winery and then mail it back to the Garden State Wine Growers Association for a complimentary gift! As an added bonus, each completed passport is entered into a drawing to receive a grand prize (generally some type of trip).

For more information on New Jersey's wine industry, please visit the Garden State Wine Growers Association and/or the New Jersey Department of Agriculture's Jersey Fresh wine page by clicking the corresponding image below. Additionally, for information on New Jersey's tourist industry (which New Jersey Wine Tours is a part of), please click the corresponding image below to be taken to our listing.